The purpose of this study is to determine the safety, efficacy and tolerability of using two regimens of telaprevir (with and without delayed start) with standard treatment compared to standard treatment alone in participants with chronic, genotype 1, hepatitis C.

Participants will receive 12 weeks of 750 mg telaprevir eight hourly followed by 4 weeks of Placebo in combination with 48 weeks of Peg-IFN-alfa-2a and ribavirin at standard doses.

Drug: Telaprevir

Participants will receive telaprevir tablets of 750 mg orally eight hourly for 12 weeks in group A and B.

Drug: Peg-IFN-alfa-2a

Participants will receive 180 µg subcutaneous (under the skin) injection of Peg-IFN-alfa-2a once weekly for 48 weeks in Group A, B and C.

Drug: Ribavirin

Participants will receive ribavirin tablets of 1000-1200 mg orally twice daily for 48 weeks in Group A, B, and C.

Drug: Placebo

Participants will receive telaprevir matching placebo tablets orally for 4 weeks in Group A and B. Participants will receive telaprevir matching placebo tablets orally for 16 weeks in Group C.

Experimental: Group B: T12(DS)/PR48

Participants will receive 4 weeks of Placebo followed by 12 weeks of 750 mg telaprevir eight hourly in combination with 48 weeks of Peg-IFN-alfa-2a and ribavirin at standard doses.

Drug: Telaprevir

Participants will receive telaprevir tablets of 750 mg orally eight hourly for 12 weeks in group A and B.

Drug: Peg-IFN-alfa-2a

Participants will receive 180 µg subcutaneous (under the skin) injection of Peg-IFN-alfa-2a once weekly for 48 weeks in Group A, B and C.

Drug: Ribavirin

Participants will receive ribavirin tablets of 1000-1200 mg orally twice daily for 48 weeks in Group A, B, and C.

Drug: Placebo

Participants will receive telaprevir matching placebo tablets orally for 4 weeks in Group A and B. Participants will receive telaprevir matching placebo tablets orally for 16 weeks in Group C.

Experimental: Group C: Pbo/PR48

Participants will receive placebo in combination with Peg- IFN-alfa-2a and ribavirin for 16 weeks. Participants will receive Peg- IFN-alfa-2a and ribavirin for next 32 weeks.

Drug: Peg-IFN-alfa-2a

Participants will receive 180 µg subcutaneous (under the skin) injection of Peg-IFN-alfa-2a once weekly for 48 weeks in Group A, B and C.

Drug: Ribavirin

Participants will receive ribavirin tablets of 1000-1200 mg orally twice daily for 48 weeks in Group A, B, and C.

Drug: Placebo

Participants will receive telaprevir matching placebo tablets orally for 4 weeks in Group A and B. Participants will receive telaprevir matching placebo tablets orally for 16 weeks in Group C.

Detailed Description:

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trial with telaprevir in patients with chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), genotype 1, infection who failed prior treatment with standard treatment. Standard treatment is defined as treatment with Peg-INF and RBV. The trial is designed to compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of 2 regimens of telaprevir (with and without delayed start) combined with standard treatment versus standard treatment alone. The trial will consist of a screening period of approximately 4 weeks, a 48-week treatment period, and a 24-week follow-up period. Patients will be eligible to enroll in the trial if they (1) had an undetectable HCV Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) level at the end of a prior course of standard treatment but did not achieve a response (viral relapsers), or (2) never had an undetectable HCV RNA level during or at the end of a prior course of standard treatment (non-responders). Approximately 650 patients (350 prior relapsers and 300 prior non-responders) will be randomized in a 2:2:1 ratio to one of 3 treatment groups: Treatment group A will receive telaprevir with standard treatment for 12 weeks; followed by placebo with standard treatment for 4 weeks; followed by standard treatment for 32 weeks. Treatment group B will receive placebo with standard treatment for 4 weeks; followed by telaprevir with standard treatment for 12 weeks; followed by standard treatment for 32 weeks. Treatment group C will receive placebo with standard treatment for 16 weeks; followed by standard treatment for 32 weeks. In both telaprevir regimens (A and B), patients will receive 12 weeks of 750 mg of telaprevir every 8 hours along with 48 weeks of standard treatment. Telaprevir or placebo will be given by mouth at a dose of 750 mg every 8 hours for 16 weeks. Peg-INF will be given as an injection under the skin at a dose of 180 mcg once every week for 48 weeks. RBV will be given by mouth at a dose of either 1000 or 1200 mg (depending on your body weight) two times per day for 48 weeks.

Patient must be willing to use 2 effective methods of birth control for up to 7 months after last dose of study medication

Exclusion Criteria:

Patient is a previous non-responder that is classified as a viral breakthrough case

Patient is infected with Hepatitis C virus, genotype 1, exhibiting more than one subtype

Patient has Hepatitis C virus, genotype 1, and exhibits co-infection with any other genotype

Evidence of decompensated liver disease

Patient has condition that requires use of systemic corticosteroids

Contacts and Locations

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To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00703118